Chapter 42: Zhou Yuanshen's Invitation Was Rejected

Once a person's heart changes, no matter how much sweet talk is used to make amends, cracks will always remain.

Eldest Madam's distrust of Huan Qingtang, once born, planted a seed. Even though she tried desperately to suppress it, the seed sprouted at the first sign of wind and rain, growing into a lush vine that climbed over her heart.

On the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, Cheng Zhao returned to her maiden home again.

Her siblings were discussing going to see the lanterns the next evening, planning to walk a large circle along the moat and not return until dawn the following day.

Fourth Brother said, I have booked Zuixian Restaurant. The seats on its second floor are perfectly situated to see this year's Lantern King.

Cheng Zhao did not have much interest in viewing lanterns along the river, but she did like seeing the Lantern King.

Tell Third Sister to restrain herself a bit this year. When she guesses lantern riddles along the street, she exposes all the gimmicks the merchants deliberately set up to stump scholars and attract tourists. There is not a single lantern riddle she cannot guess, Fourth Brother added.

Everyone laughed.

Cheng Zhao said, I like being with Third Sister. Whatever lantern I want, she can guess the riddle with just a glance. Whenever I go out with her, I never return empty-handed.

I do not like going out with her, Fourth Brother said.

Cheng Zhao replied, That is because she steals your thunder.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month the year before last, several girls from Cheng Zhao's relatives gathered together. Second Brother picked up Third Sister, and the large, lively group went to the lantern festival.

Fourth Brother Cheng Chao originally wanted to show off. But the lantern riddles that had him scratching his head in confusion, Cheng Ying knew the answers to with just a lift of her eyes.

The girls all ran after Cheng Ying, including Cheng Zhao.

Fourth Brother Cheng was so angry his teeth itched.

...This year I will remind Third Sister to restrain herself a bit, Eldest Sister said with a smile, then added to Fourth Brother Cheng, Aren't you just asking for trouble by comparing your knowledge with hers?

Everyone laughed.

Eldest Sister continued, Ask the Duke if he wants to view the lanterns with our family on the fifteenth.

Cheng Zhao's smile faded.

Seeing this, Eldest Sister smiled and said, If he is busy, bring your brother-in-law. That child is truly amusing.

Cheng Zhao said, I will ask him later.

She added, I might not be able to come out. Every family has different rules. Prince Jingnan's Mansion is willing to let Third Sister spend the holiday with her maiden family, but Duke Chen's Mansion might not.

Once you become someone's wife, you have to abide by their rules. Go back and ask first. If you really cannot come out, do not be upset; there will always be opportunities in the future, Eldest Sister said.

Cheng Zhao agreed.

She returned to Duke Chen's Mansion early that day and went straight to Jiangyun Courtyard.

She told Second Madam about going to see the lanterns the next evening.

Second Madam readily agreed, Just go, have a good time all night, and catch up on sleep on the sixteenth.

She added, When we were young, we also loved going to see the lanterns, but now we cannot stay up through the long night. However, your father-in-law and I will still go out to look at the lanterns, stroll for half an hour, and then come back.

Cheng Zhao smiled and said, That is very nice. I do not like strolling all night either. But with everyone urging me on, it is inconvenient to be a spoilsport. If I ruin the fun, no one will want to play with me in the future. Throughout the whole year, the Lantern Festival is the only time one can be this indulgent.

That makes sense.

Who is Yuanqi spending the holiday with? Cheng Zhao asked.

Who would be willing to take him to the lantern market? He is too good at guessing lantern riddles. The merchants wish they could cover his mouth; he casually guesses the Little Lantern Kings they have so carefully prepared.

How is he going to see the lanterns? He is clearly going to crash the party. When I take him, the merchants look at me with condemnation, and I wish I could find a hole to hide in. Second Madam sighed.

Cheng Zhao could not help but laugh.

She also mentioned her Third Sister, Cheng Ying.

Yuanqi definitely cannot compare to my Third Sister. After all, he is young and not as experienced. Let me take him along and see who wins more between the two of them, Cheng Zhao said.

Second Madam agreed without hesitation, Alright. Let him know that there is always someone better out there, so he does not become arrogant just because he is smart.

Cheng Zhao agreed.

Second Madam, however, hesitated to speak.

Cheng Zhao seemed to guess what she wanted to say.

She was probably going to ask about Zhou Yuanshen.

Cheng Zhao did not pick up the conversation.

After returning from Jiangyun Courtyard, she sent Suyue to tell Zhou Yuanqi, inviting him to view the lanterns together the next evening.

Zhou Yuanqi did not have much interest in this matter and shook his head, It is meaningless, I am not going.

Suyue then said, Our Third Young Miss has read many books, and there is no lantern riddle in the world she cannot guess. The Young Madam asked you to go take a look and broaden your horizons.

Zhou Yuanqi was dizzy with anger and said coldly, What a big boast. Then I must go and experience this for myself.

His competitive spirit was instantly aroused.

It was too easy for Cheng Zhao to play him.

When Suyue came back and relayed his words, Cheng Zhao smiled, Children are so easy to manipulate, how cute.

But he would not be cute for many more years.

Once he grew a bit older, he would probably understand these tricks and not be easily fooled.

It was still early, so Cheng Zhao planned to check the account books of the main kitchen for the past few days. The official seals would be opened on the sixteenth, and she could not afford to make mistakes in a rush.

But Zhou Yuanshen arrived.

...Are you going out to the lantern festival tomorrow night? he asked Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao, Yes. I have already told Mother. Mother agreed and even asked me to bring Yuanqi.

She added, Everyone in our family is going, and we will bring guards. Rest assured, we will not lose Yuanqi.

Zhou Yuanshen paused.

Then he nodded slightly, That is fine too.

He did not have dinner at Nonghua Courtyard. After finishing his words, he made an excuse that he had other matters and left first.

Nanny Li said to Cheng Zhao, The Duke wanted to spend the Lantern Festival together with you, right? Perhaps he even wanted to invite you to the lantern festival.

He did not say that.

He...

If he did not say it, then he did not mean it. Cheng Zhao interrupted Nanny Li, Serve the meal, I am a bit hungry.

Nanny Li said no more.

The next day was the Lantern Festival. Lanterns were hung at the main gate of Duke Chen's Mansion, the gates of various courtyards, and the treetops. Tonight, huge bright horn palace lanterns would be placed on the paths to illuminate them, making the entire garden as bright as day.

Dinner was held at Yixia Pavilion, which was specially used for banquets and watching fireworks.

Old Madam was in very high spirits.

The stewards had also prepared a few lantern riddles for Old Madam to guess.

Everyone guessed a few one after another and asked Old Madam for rewards.

Old Madam indeed handed out pouches to them one by one. Each pouch was heavy, containing gold ingots.

The gold ingots were forged into various auspicious shapes, each weighing about two taels, with two placed in each pouch.

Send a decorative lantern and some food to Lijing Courtyard as well. Tell Ah Jiang not to cry and to have a good holiday, Old Madam said with a chuckle.

Huan Qingtang chimed in, Grandmother, should we call Secondary Wife over for the holiday? On a day of reunion, it is only prosperous when everyone is present.

Old Madam looked at Zhou Yuanshen.

Zhou Yuanshen, wearing a black robe embroidered with gold thread in an auspicious cloud pattern, had a bland expression, Sister-in-law, what kind of prosperity do you want? Say it out loud and let Grandmother hear it.

Huan Qingtang's face turned pale.

Old Madam smiled and said, It seems you still have not cooled your anger?

Grandmother, I am not angry, and I do not act based on personal likes or dislikes. Punishing Concubine Mu was in accordance with family rules. If there are no rules, wouldn't this household fall into chaos in the future? Zhou Yuanshen said.

He called her Concubine Mu again, not Secondary Wife.

Right in front of the whole family.

Old Madam's smile faded, That is true. The Duke's rules are indeed greater than the heavens.

Zhou Yuanshen stood up and bowed to Old Madam, I would not dare. Grandmother's rules are the greatest. If you wish to bring Concubine Mu out, your grandson would absolutely not dare to object.

Old Madam was counterattacked by him.

For a moment, she was stuck in an awkward position, unable to advance or retreat.

She scanned the room and looked at Cheng Zhao.